Tailoring nanoscale interfacial configurations for thermal management applications

International audienc

Thermal conductivity and interface characterization of diamond/aluminum composites fabricated by vacuum hot pressing

International audienc

Heterogeneous interfacial chemical nature and bonds in an Al matrix composite reinforced with W-coated diamond particles

International audienc

Tailoring nanoscale interfacial configurations by vacuum hot pressing: the case studies of SiC/Al and diamond/Al composites

National audienc

Effect of interface evolution on thermal conductivity of vacuum hot pressed SiC/Al composites

International audienc

Tailoring interfacial bonding states of highly thermal performance diamond/Al composites: Spark plasma sintering vs. vacuum hot pressing

Interfacial configurations of the diamond/Al composites fabricated by vacuum hot pressing (VHP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) have been investigated to evaluate feasibility of both techniques for tailoring interfacial bonding states, namely non-bonded, diffusion-bonded, partially and fully reaction-bonded interfaces. Multiscale interfacial characterization reveals that the unique diffusion-bonded interface at the micrometer scale, being very favorable for enhancing global thermal conductivity (TC), has been achieved by conventional VHP technique due to its large processing window and homogenous thermal field. Comparatively, micrometer-scale and, even macroscopic (radial and axial) thermal gradients can be inevitably generated during the SPS process in rapid heating-cooling mode. As a result, the mixed interfacial bonding states have always been introduced in the SPSed samples which reduce the effectiveness of TC enhancement. The formation mechanisms of nanoscale interfacial Al2O3 and Al4C3 at the diamond/Al interface are also discussed

Smart Mechanical Powder Processing for Producing Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composites

The central concern in the fabrication of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced metal composites is the well balance between uniform dispersion and structural integrity of CNTs. Rapid and uniform self-assembly of CNTs and spherical Aluminum (Al) particles into a core-shell structure is realized by a smart mechanical powder processing. The factors influencing the dispersion uniformity and structural integrity of CNTs during the processing are studied, including the size of Al particles, mixing speed and mixing time. It is revealed that a size of 35 μm is preferred for the Al particles to tear apart the CNT clusters and obtain a uniform dispersion of CNTs on Al surface. Different composite states, CNTs are singly dispersed, thickly wrapped, or embedded in the Al particles, can be obtained by changing the mixing speed. Well coordination between the CNT dispersion homogeneity and structural integrity could be achieved under suitable processing condition. Therefore, it can be adopted as an efficient and intelligent technology to achieve the desired performance in CNT/Al composites

Understanding and tailoring interfacial bonding states of a diamond/Al composite for thermal management applications

International audienc